The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has debunked reports alleging non-payment of promotion arrears and other entitlements to its personnel.
The Corps was reacting to reports published by some online media platforms, which claimed that promotion arrears covering the period between 2022 and 2024 had not been paid to officers.
In a statement, the NSCDC National Public Relations Officer, Assistant Commandant of Corps (ACC) Afolabi Babawale, described the allegation as false, misleading and malicious, accusing the publishers of orchestrating a campaign aimed at tarnishing the image of the Corps’ leadership.
Babawale explained that the Commandant General of the NSCDC, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, does not oversee the payment of salary or promotion arrears, stressing that such payments are handled by the Presidential Committee on Arrears, chaired by the Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation, alongside the Accountant-General of the Federation.
According to him, available payment records indicate steady progress in addressing arrears.
The statement further noted that the current leadership of the Corps inherited five years of unpaid salary arrears upon assumption of office in 2021, adding that efforts by the Commandant General led to the clearance of arrears from 2015 to 2019, benefiting over 37,000 personnel.
The Corps reaffirmed its commitment to the welfare of its personnel, maintaining that the leadership under Prof. Audi remains focused on improving staff conditions.
It also warned that the NSCDC would not succumb to blackmail, cyberbullying or attempts by individuals or groups to undermine the agency’s credibility.
The Corps urged the public, stakeholders and media organisations to disregard false reports and verify information through official channels before publication.
It further appealed to personnel nationwide to remain calm and patient, assuring them that the government had promised to release funds for the settlement of outstanding entitlements in due course.
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